Petey Halpin’s sixth-inning blast flipped the game and, with it, the AL Central race.
Halpin crushed a three-run homer in the sixth, Parker Messick struck out eight, and the Cleveland Guardians beat the Chicago White Sox 6-3 on Wednesday to move into first place in the division. Cleveland is now 78-75 and holds a half-game edge over Chicago, which sits at 77-75 after dropping two of three in the series.
For the Guardians, it’s the first time since July 3 that they’ve had sole possession of the top spot, and they’re doing it while chasing a third straight division title.
Chicago’s slide has now reached seven losses in nine games and 12 in 17, with its run of 74 straight days in first coming to an end. The White Sox are still trying to do something no team in MLB history has pulled off: reach the postseason after losing 100-plus games in each of the previous two seasons.
Cleveland got a boost from José Ramírez, who finished with two doubles and tied Nap Lajoie for second on the franchise’s career list with 424. Jo Adell added a two-run single in the third as the Guardians won for the third time in four games.
The White Sox had grabbed the lead in the fifth when Tommy Pham, activated off the injured list before the game, lined a three-run homer to left-center to make it 3-2.
But Cleveland answered immediately in the sixth. With runners on first and second and two outs against Hagen Smith, Halpin jumped on Sean Newcomb’s elevated sinker and sent it into the right-field stands to put the Guardians ahead by two. Two walks later, Ramírez came through again with an RBI double that scored Brayan Rocchio.
Messick worked six innings and gave up three runs to earn the win, improving to 12-9. Cade Smith handled the finish, retiring the final four Chicago hitters for his 37th save in 42 chances.
Anthony Kay started for Chicago and allowed two runs over four innings.
The White Sox return home Thursday to open a four-game series against the Detroit Tigers. The Guardians close out their final home series of the regular season Friday against the Athletics.
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White Sox Get A Colson Montgomery Scare At The Worst Time
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